Created last summer by Gov. Nathan Deal, The ATL, or the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, held is inaugural meeting late last week to discuss the future of transit in the city and its surrounding areas.

“The ATL was created as a new regional governance and funding structure, to improve coordination, integration and efficiency of transit in metro Atlanta.” According to ATL materials. “A regional transit plan encompassing all transit projects and initiatives will be developed, containing access to new funding sources for activities within it.”

The ATL’s 16-member board – which includes Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms – is comprised of six members appointed by state officials with the remaining members elected by local delegations to represent 10 transit districts across a 13-county region according to ATL materials. Board members are a mix of local business leaders and elected officials who will take a renewed look at transit planning and funding to improve the coordination of existing transit agencies and their efficiencies throughout the region.

At the inaugural meeting, the board assessed and approved bylaws, communications protocols, it’s board meeting calendar and a logo and brand.

“The Board is committed to being inclusive and wants to collaborate with our regional partners and transit riders,” Charlie Sutlive, ATL Board Chair, said in a statement. “The newly adopted ATL logo was created with a variety of stakeholder input, including qualitative and quantitative research, and a full creative process.”

According to ATL materials, that research included surveying a diverse group of 500 transit riders across the 13 counties the authority represents.

The next meeting of the ATL’s board of directors is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2019.